There is so much in this landscape that it is almost impossible to begin describing it. With more than an acre of space available this project is definitely a family affair.

The front of the modern home is a mixture of green on green around a beautiful reflecting pool.  The backyard with it’s gorgeous pool consists of wide, flowing garden beds, several ponds, pergolas, a waterfall and astonishingly more than 50 varieties of Japanese maples.  The owner’s preference for purple and lime green is evident in the perennial beds and containers surrounding the pool. 

Magnolias, smoke bushes, iris and peonies are used artfully to screen the house from the road and frame the driveway in this landscape surrounding the 1917’s structure.

The backyard is an array of colours coming from morning glories, bluebells, lilies, violets, rhododendrons and hostas as well as coral bells, astilbe and lady’s mantle that are as old as the home.  Take a walk to the very back of the property and you will discover a pathway leading to a wonderful hidden lookout.

Century old oak and chestnut trees frame this homes back garden which stands atop a deep ravine.  Terraces, retaining walls, steps and pathways meander through multicoloured trees, shrubs and perennials.

Six different sitting areas are scattered around the property and give dramatic views of the lake and city.  Look closely amongst the hydrangeas, hostas, bergenias, irises and rose of Sharon and you’ll discover the owners love of art in the form of beautiful, thought provoking pieces.

Just planted last year this young garden already shows great design.  Landscape rocks in the front are surrounded by plantings of junipers, feather reed grass, perennial sage, daylilies, coral bells, dwarf fountain grass and hostas.

These elements are evident in the back garden and help create an Asian flair with contemporary furniture and the garage wall is transformed to resemble rice screen. 

While the front is very beautiful with its brushed stainless steel walls, well trimmed boxwoods, river stone and plantings of feather reed grass, sedge, tickseed, allium and sedum it’s the outstanding water feature in the back that stands out the most.

The garage wall has been transformed with stainless steel etched with fish and water falls gracefully into a pool of reeds and stone.  Similar plantings tie everything together.

Simple lines and a minimalist feel is what this landscape is all about.

Steel plated ‘boxes’ in the front garden organize and contain red maples, junipers and maiden grass while the horizontal planks of cedar used in the fence in the rear of the home helps create unity and depth.

Large groupings of plants like lilies, hostas and ornamental grasses and curved, rounded stone terraces create a feeling of calm and relaxation in this garden.

River birch and Siberian spruce shields the property from their neighbors while a Katsura tree provides a cooling shade of a structure seating area.

An old and gnarled crabapple is the first you that catches your eye as you walk towards the back of this home and is followed closely by the twisted limbs of a  mature wisteria.

Throughout the landscape and around the pool various seating and living areas have been created in it’s nooks and crannies. False spireas, loganberries, roses, Japanese yews, black locusts and lilac trees help to bring it all together with colour and visual interest.

The neat and tidy lines of this beautiful front garden do not begin to show the magnitude of work put into this homes outstanding landscape.  With the help of tons of fresh new soil to replace the old sand and detritus that existed before the homeowner has created something spectacular.

A deck sheltered with wisteria almost tempts you to stop and relax for a minute but the stairs running along side a man-made pond invite you into a more magical area.

More terraced levels below allow you to enjoy a wonderful selection of perennial, trees and shrubs as well as a fair amount of flat lawn. 

You can make your way back up the way you came down or wander over to the opposite side of the garden and up the rough stone steps to discover even more magic.

The owners of this home wanted something low maintenance, child friendly and functional with a contemporary feel.  The front gardens’ steep incline is terraced using stone and planted with specimens that don’t obstruct their view and have visual impact in the winter months.

The back garden consists of two levels.  The first consists of a small patio and leads up to an upper level with a natural stone wall, timber pergolas and a hot tub.  Even the barbecue is built into the stone creating smooth lines and structure.  The mainly white colour scheme is supported with plantings of Kouse dogwoods, alliums, astilbe and tiarellas.